Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard tries to get past Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Mar. 9, 2025, in Milwaukee.
Damian Lillard is coming home.
The star point guard has agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. Though the deal hasn't been officially announced, multiple outlets, including ESPN, have reported the move.
Lillard himself confirmed the reunion with a nostalgic Instagram video showcasing the Trail Blazers locker room. The clip ended with a close-up of a locker labelled with his name and the caption: “Together Again.” He added a caption bursting with emotion: “RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!”
A Legend Returns to His Roots
Lillard, now 35, was the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He spent 11 remarkable seasons in Portland before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks just before the 2023-24 campaign.
But despite the move, Lillard’s heart always seemed tied to Portland. His return now feels less like a new deal and more like a long-awaited homecoming.
Injury Could Delay Lillard’s On-Court Comeback
Fans excited to see “Dame Time” back on the court may have to wait.
Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. He underwent surgery and is likely to miss the entire 2025-26 season as he recovers.
The Bucks had recently waived Lillard and stretched the remaining $113 million of his contract across five years.
A Career Full of Records and Loyalty
Lillard leaves behind a legacy in Milwaukee, but his true basketball roots remain in Rip City.
He holds franchise records for most points (19,376) and most three-pointers (2,387) in Trail Blazers history. In his final season with Portland, he averaged 32.2 points per game, including a career-high 71-point explosion against the Houston Rockets, making him just the seventh player in NBA history to score 70+ in a single game.
Even more impressively, Lillard had five games scoring 60 or more points, all while wearing a Blazers jersey.
A Trailblazer On and Off the Court
Throughout his career, Lillard has been more than just a scorer. He has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists per game, earned nine All-Star selections, and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. He also took home a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and continues to inspire fans with his loyalty and work ethic.
He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013 and is known for his clutch performances, leadership, and off-court influence, including a signature Adidas shoe line.
Portland’s Shift: Youth Meets Veteran Leadership
When Lillard was traded in 2023, the Trail Blazers were focused on rebuilding around young stars like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Meanwhile, Lillard sought to chase a championship in Milwaukee alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Though his time with the Bucks was short-lived due to injuries, his effort and experience made a lasting impression.
A Reunion That Feels Right
Lillard hinted at a possible return to Portland during a 2024 Adidas event, saying he’d never shut the door on reuniting with the Blazers.
Now, that possibility is real. While fans may need to wait for his full recovery, the announcement alone has reignited excitement in Portland.
With a rich legacy behind him and a strong bond with the city, Damian Lillard’s return is more than just a contract — it’s a story of loyalty, resilience, and unfinished business.
